Beware The Leaven
Matthew 16:1-12 (ESV)
The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs
And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Study Guide Questions:
Observations
What two groups came to Jesus, and what did they ask him to do?
How did Jesus respond to their request for a sign, and what was the only sign he said would be given?
What did Jesus warn his disciples to beware of, and what did the disciples initially think he was talking about?
What two past events did Jesus remind the disciples of to show that bread was not a problem for him?
Interpretations
What is the significance of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming together to make this request of Jesus?
What does Jesus’s refusal to perform a sign on demand reveal about the heart of those who were asking?
The disciples had just witnessed two massive feeding miracles, yet they were worried about having no bread. What does this reveal about their focus and their memory?
What are the properties of leaven that make it such a good warning for corrupt teaching?
Life Applications
A sign-seeking faith demands God perform by human terms and never truly trusts what God has already revealed. Are there areas of your life that you are currently demanding a specific sign or answer from God before you will trust or obey him?
What is your understanding of a scarcity spirit? And are there areas in your life that a scarcity spirit seems to be most pervasive?
Our call to action is to repent, or turn away from demanding extra signs beyond what God has already provided. What would it look like for you this week to actively "rehearse the sufficiency of Christ’s death and resurrection" instead of focusing on what you want or don’t have?